Ecclestone Criticises Silverstone Security

Bernie Ecclestone called for investigation into security levels at the British Grand Prix after a protester was allowed onto the Silverstone track to make a religious demonstration during the race.

A 56-year-old man, dressed in a kilt with placards on him stating 'read the Bible, the Bible is always right', ran along Hangar Straight while cars travelled at more than 200 km/h.

He was eventually rugby-tackled to the floor and arrested on grounds of "aggravated trespass", but Ecclestone believes he should have been prevented from reaching the circuit in the first place.

"The security is not up to it, that's obvious," Ecclestone said. "If they were able to run on the track and drag him off, why did they not run on track before he got there? We'll have to be looking at it before anything gets decided. It can't be ignored. We'll be talking to (organisers) Octagon about it.

"Someone should have stopped it, it shouldn't have happened, but the amazing thing is it made for a very good race. Nobody knew why or how it was all happening. I guess it is just one of those things, (but) it backs up my idea that qualifying is a complete waste of time. Why bother when you get a better race like that? They could qualify for points to see who is the fastest guy."

But he added: "It could have got really messy if that guy had been hit by a car at 100 plus mph. It happened in the past and it is the kind of thing that is supposed to have been cut out and stopped."

Ecclestone, however, said that it would not affect any decision he has to make over whether the British Grand Prix remains on the calendar, because issues over the facilities at the circuit and government backing will dictate the future of the event.

"It is a completely separate issue than everything else about Silverstone's future," he added. "It's got nothing to do with all the other stuff we need them to get sorted out but it obviously doesn't help."

FIA president Max Mosley said that the sport's governing body would be launching an investigation once a fill observer's report is filed by Herbie Blash.

"A man was arrested and taken off site for questioning," Mosley said. "The Motor Sport Association are investigating security issues and we will be asking the FIA official observer for his full report on the incident."